He spoke only to confirm his name and address, which were translated to the court by an interpreter.

Chairman of the bench, Robert Gibson told the accused: "You have heard what has been said in court. You have heard the reasons for being remanded in custody and it is the opinion of the court that this should be the case."

Arshad, who works at the meat-processing department at a pie factory, was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday 11 February.

His brother, 37-year-old Mohammed Khan appeared before Blackburn magistrates on Tuesday charged with assisting in the disposal of parts of Mrs Begum's body.

Both men are married to daughters of the victim, whose body has not been found.

The mother of six of Burnley Road, Accrington, has been missing from her home since January 13.

Following the arrest of Mohammed Arshad, police searched the premises of the Millenium takeaway in Accrington, which he owns.

Police have confirmed that the search for Mrs Begum's body is continuing and it is believed they are now looking in the Crumpsall area.

The full charge faced by Mohammed Khan, also of Middleton Road, Crumpsall, is that between 13 and 28 January at Accrington and other locations, he assisted in the disposal of the human body parts of Zeinab Begum with intent to impede the arrest or prosecution of Mohammed Arshad.

Khan was also remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday 11 February.